Proud to be a Sheep
Act II: Chapter 5
We waited for hours. Echo fell asleep, and I started browsing the "modern-day YouTube," which they call Streammy. It was everything YouTube was, but with a combination of Twitter or X.
Nothing here was censored. Everyone could've posted anything and everything they wanted according to the app's rules and regulations. But just because they can post anything, doesn't mean they do. It was silenced censoring, and it was the Carmuts and the extreme followers of Gods who're responsible. Neither of the two deleted videos they disliked or found blasphemous. They just simply hunted down the people who posted them. People wondered, "Why not just change the system itself?" but they guessed it was because they had no power against the creator. The owner of the website is a fellow Carmut, one who received the serum at the very young age of 12. At that young age, not only did he create a website so big and successful it couldn't even be controlled by anyone else, not even Kings, but he also part-times as the King of Sloth. Well, I guess he's not exactly 'young'.
That's something, a King that doesn't censor anything, is too young to even lose his V-card legally, and is too strong to be threatened by other Kings and Carmuts. I might have just found a potentially decent King, but I need to learn more about him. I need to learn more about a lot of things.
Don't get your hopes up, I thought. Disappointment always finds its way to you.
I laid down on the grass shaded by the tent, watching Streammy vids, taking a glance whenever a few mercs arrive and they start talking to Echo. Their numbers were increasing, and they looked strong…
I need someone like me.
Someone like Chief Donald wouldn't do, he was too bright, looking for the spotlight way too much. I needed someone who was as weak as me, maybe even weaker. A fellow sheep in a herd of wolves.
Whether I was looking for fellow sheep out of homophily or fear of being the weakest, I did not want to think about it. I know I'm weak, dependent, and I was reliant on trying to find another person like me. So to make myself feel like I don't need other people to survive, I instead told myself, if ever I need someone to bail out or use as a human shield, who else is better than someone like me?
That argument felt weak, stupid, and insincere, but it was all I had to feel less pathetic.
I began slowly walking towards Echo, thinking if I should call out to him, but I didn't want to be noticed or, worse, have to interact with his friends (like your mom introducing you to her friends…). So, I opted for my usual solution to situations like these. I waited for Echo to look in my direction, I signaled to him that I was going in a certain direction and mouthed, "I'm gonna walk around," and then he gave me a nod. Success!
I went to whatever direction I pointed at, which was left from directly where I was at. I planned on just walking along the edge of the rotunda. I certainly didn't plan on walking around from the center, plus my current position gave me the best view of the people around me.
There were all sorts of mercs, most of them wearing military or soldier equipment, some wearing police equipment, the classic dark blue ones.
I remember Tan's outfit also had that dark blue color to it. Had he been younger, he would've reminded me of Leon from Resident Evil.
"I wonder how he's doing…"
"How who's doing?"
I let out a manly scream. "Wha— Hey! I was just thinking about you." I replied to the man with a monstrous physique standing behind me.
"I'm flattered." He paused, "Thanks for saving us, kid. Here's your reward." Tan pulled up his hand, revealing a silver ring that had a glowing red stone inside it. The stone glowed brighter and brighter, then the glow it emitted focused on one direction, my direction.
I stood still as I watched the backpack I stole earlier form itself in front of me. I raised my arms, trying to touch what looked like a hologram. But a part of me, excited and childish, really hoped it was what I thought it was.
The bag fully formed itself, and it fell right into my arms. couldn't stop staring at it, not just at the bag but also at Tan's finger. That ring…
Tan let out a light chuckle, I could tell I was smiling stupidly right now, trying to contain it but unable to hold it back. I didn't care, though. For this one, I'd happily show my unsightly gums and excitement.
"I've heard your story. It was good bullshit, don't worry about it spreading though. We mercs look out for each other." We mercs, huh? Almost gave me another reason to smile.
"Do you believe my story now?
"Well, it's not exactly the most unbelievable one. With how random the Gods could act, there might be a chance you were transported here from your time." I agree, I felt like it was the more likely explanation for my situation. The question is, though, who? Why? I seriously don't want to be burdened with some glorious purpose…
"Well," Tan continued, "either way, you're here now. Good luck with the entrance exam."
"Wait, what?"
"Did Echo not tell you?" HE TOLD ME MY ASS WAS SAFE.
"I thought I was for sure already getting in?" I said, back to my submissive, weak voice.
"Oh, you are. But that doesn't mean you get to be part of the top already. We need to make sure what happened wasn't a fluke." I was extremely relieved. I don't need to be part of the big boy club, I'm willing to be your water boy. Just keep me safe.
"Don't worry, we'll assess you fairly and rank you accordingly. And no one usually dies in these exams." Usually?????? Uh… Sir, what do you mean by that???????
"Hey, Tan!" Yelled a man from the crowd, "That the boy who captured Tago?"
"Yeah, look forward to him, he's our guy!" Oh nononononnono. I'm no one's guy, I'm everyone's friendly neighborhood water boy.
"HAHAHA," The man's laugh was so loud everyone's eyes landed on us. It almost seemed like he was seeking attention, which I'm pretty sure he was. "Oh, we have a boy of our own too." Ah fuck… This guy must be another one of Tan's 'rivals'…
"Oh?"
"Yeah, you'll be surprised by what the kid can do." Then he let out another laugh, one filled with confidence and pride. I could tell he was only trying to rile Tan up, but this guy is now definitely in my 'people to avoid' list.
"Well. Whatever you say." Tan replied, "Let's go, kid." I gladly followed Tan. He led me towards the rest of the six, now three-membered, squad.
"Where's Donald?" Tan asked,
"Told me he's done, sir. Also told me to give you his regards." Echo replied, looking at me like he was asking for a vouch, which I nodded to.
"I see. We'll let him have his time. Failing like we did must've taken a huge blow on him."
"Well, technically, we didn't fail," Ember said. It was the first time I heard her voice.
"Yeah, but we lost. Plus, we only 'succeeded' thanks to the kid. We didn't even get to bring back the goods." I stayed quiet, but I could tell the attention was on me. I felt somewhat flustered, embarrassed, and awkward.
Apart from me, they were all wearing tactical military gear, as if they were ready to be deployed at all times. They were unarmed as far as I could tell, but then I thought about Tan's ring that brought out the bag. They could have one of their own. If so, I wonder if they also have artifacts, weapons, and maybe even spell stones. I really want to test some…
"Hey, kid." Called Ember, "Listen, I don't want to dishearten you, but you should give up on the entrance exam. Surrender while it's still early."
"May I ask why..?" I wasn't opposing the idea, but I was really curious. Tan said usually no one dies, so am I about to face a serial killer or something?
"The kid they're about to sizing you up with has a Catalyst Artifact. The one you have is an Artysan Artifact. Although neither is very suitable for combat, it's clear who has an advantage. Plus, apparently, he's had more time to practice than you."
"I see…" I didn't disagree with her at all. I was preparing myself to say yes, but as I was about to open my mouth and say the words, Echo said,
"What's the guy's name?"
"Einar, apparently."